Updated HVAC Guidelines from the NYS-OMH

A Look at Air Distribution and Patient Safety Standards

Patient care is constantly evolving, and these changes impact how we design spaces within psychiatric care facilities – including the components for air distribution systems. Patient health and safety is at the forefront of design considerations, but a challenge faced by many HVAC designers is a lack of guidance as to what types of air inlets and outlets should be installed in these unique spaces.

The New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS-OMH) has emerged as a key influencer in this domain, providing the reference document Patient Safety Standards, Materials and Systems Guidelines to serve as a compass for the HVAC engineers designing these spaces. Although the document originates from a New York organization, its influence is international, underscoring the growing need for best practices for designing mental health and correctional facilities.

Products reviewed and accepted by the NYS-OMH are detailed in the document, with risk-assessment ratings for high-, medium- and low-risk areas. It is important to note that these risk assessment categories are guidelines and that selecting products in those categories does not eliminate all risks; every product should be evaluated for suitability according to the project requirements.

Patient Safety Standards, Materials and Systems Guidelines is available on the NYS-OMH website

NYS-OMH revised its guidelines on January 31, 2024, to keep current with ongoing product development and innovation. For the HVAC section, there was a focus on perforated air inlets and outlets and their designated risk assessment. The revisions state that for renovations, perforated grilles remain acceptable for high-risk areas; however, for new construction projects, these grilles should be considered only for medium-risk areas. Based on these changes, in new construction projects, only louvered security grilles and diffusers should be used in high-risk areas.

Price industries has a range of security products that have been evaluated and deemed acceptable by NYS-OMH for areas with different levels of risk.

For high-risk areas:

• The Security Risk-Resistant Ceiling Diffuser (MSRRCD) features heavy-duty, all-welded construction and thread-resistant cores.
• For renovations only, the Security Perforated-Face Grille (MSPG) reduces the risk of damage and disassembly, with all-welded construction and integral wall sleeves.
• Also for renovations only, the one-way Perforated Linear Security Grille (MSPLD) provides a safe alternative to traditional slot diffusers.

For medium-risk areas:

• For new builds, the Security Perforated-Face Grille (MSPG) is available with a variety of mounting types and is suitable for both supply and return applications.
• For the Perforated Linear Security Diffuser (MSPLD), both one- and two-way airflow patterns can be used.

For more information on Price’s security products, visit our website or contact our application engineers at GRD@priceindustries.com.